KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on a two-day visit to Malaysia, was warmly welcomed by his counterpart Anwar Ibrahim at the airport on Saturday. Addressing the Indian diaspora in Kuala Lumpur, PM Modi highlighted India’s remarkable economic strides, positioning the nation as a global powerhouse.
Expressing gratitude for the heartfelt reception, PM Modi thanked Anwar Ibrahim for personally greeting him at the airport and driving him to the event. ‘This gesture reflects the deep affection and respect for India,’ he said, praising the Malaysian PM’s friendship that predates his premiership.
The event featured a spectacular cultural performance by 800 dancers in perfect sync, which PM Modi described as unforgettable. He lauded Anwar’s focus on reforms, wisdom, and leadership in ASEAN’s 2025 chairmanship.
Turning to India’s achievements, PM Modi declared, ‘India is the world’s fastest-growing major economy. What started as ‘Make in India’ has made us the second-largest mobile phone manufacturer globally. Our defense exports have surged nearly 30-fold since 2014. Today, India ranks as the third-largest startup hub worldwide.’
He emphasized the creation of the world’s largest digital public infrastructure and fintech ecosystem. Solar energy capacity has multiplied 40 times in a decade. ‘From being seen merely as a market, India is now a hub for investment and trade,’ PM Modi asserted.
Highlighting India-Malaysia ties, PM Modi recalled the sacrifices of Malaysian Indians in India’s freedom struggle, including early joiners of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army. He commended the diaspora for preserving traditions, noting over 500 schools teaching Indian languages in Malaysia, as mentioned in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio address.
The visit underscores strengthening bilateral relations, with shared cultural festivals like Sankranti, Pongal, Thaipusam, Mahashivratri, Ramadan, and Hari Raya fostering deeper people-to-people connections.